Distributor



J. S. ECKERT DISTRIBUTOR Nov. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31,1962 ATTORNEY Nov. 24, 1964 Filed Aug. 31, 1962 J. S. ECKERT DISTRIBUTOR2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. IO

INVENTOR. JOHN S. ECKERT Ina/"6 M ATTORNEY United States Patent3,158,171 DISTRIBUTOR John S. Eckert, Silver Lake, Ohio, assignor to TheUnited States Stoneware Company, Tallmadge, Ohio, a corporation of OhioFiled Aug. 31, 1962, Ser. No. 220,728 1 Claim. (Cl. 137-262) Thisinvention relates to an improved distributor for a chemical treatingtower.

The distributor is of the usual type insofar as it is composed ofseveral closed end troughs and one (or possibly more) parting boxessuperimposed on the trough-s.

The troughs and/or parting box (or boxes) of the distributor of thisinvention are fabricated essentially entirely of sheet metal. The topsof the walls are flanged, with the flanges continuous from one end ofthe trough or box to the other, and the openings for the overflow ofliquid therefrom are stamped from the sheet metal inside of the flangearea, preferably while the sheet metal is in the form of flat stock.

The drawings illustrate a preferred distributor which includes a singleparting box, and four troughs, although the number of troughs is notcritical and will vary with the size of the tower. In the drawings-FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of the distributor;

FIGURE 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is illustrative of one type of installation of the distributorin a tower;

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the distributor; and

FIGURE 6 to show steps in the fabrication of a trough.

FIGURE 3 shows the distributor 5 resting on the ledge 6 fastened to theinside of the wall 7 of a tower. This ledge may be angle iron (as shown)or rolled bar stock. Liquid from the inlet 9 enters the parting box 11and overflows from there into the troughs 12 which spread the liquidover the entire area of the bed 15 of packing elements. This bed may becovered by a hold-down plate.

Each trough is formed from illustrated in FIGURES 6-10. In the firststep thetriangular overflow openings 21 are punched into the sheet. Thenflanges 22 are turned in, and in the next step the sides are broken upalong lines 23. Before bending the sides perpendicular, the inner edgesof the flanges 22 are turned down at 24 to give added strength to thetrough. The sides are then bent to their final position (FIGURE 10) andthe ends 25 (FIGURE 1) are closed by separate closure sheets or bybending an area of the metal which is integral with a side or preferablythe bottom of the trough. The ends are usually welded in position.

The parting box 11 is fabricated in much the same fashion. The overflowopenings 30 may be square, as

a sheet of sheet metal as.

3,158,171 Patented Nov. 24, 1964 shown, or triangular as the preferredshape. For instance, they may be any desired shape.

Similarly, the overflow openings in the troughs may be any desiredshape. They may be V-shaped at any angle; and above the bottom tip maybe any shape.

In troughs designed for low volume of flow, the bottom ofeach opening inthe parting box and each trough may be provided with a drip lip.

The parting box is supported on metal bridges 35 which span therespective troughs and preferably are welded to the flanges on thetroughs. There are two threaded studs 37 projecting up from each of theend bridges and the parting box is held in position by nuts 38 threadedon to these studs. Pins 39 extend up from the other bridges and positionthe troughs between the end of the parting box. The parting box may reston these intermediate bridges or the entire support may come from theend bridges so that an intermediate trough will never carry the weightof the parting box. Gaskets or the like may be provided to preventleakage of the liquid through the holes in the bottom of the parting boxwhich accommodate the studs and pins. However, this is usually notnecessary.

The ends of the individual troughs may be welded to the ledge 6 or theymay be held in position in any other desired manner. Likewise theparting box may be positioned on the troughs in any suitable way.Although bridges are preferably used, as illustrated, they are notessential.

The invention is covered in the claim that follows.

What I claim is:

A closed-end, elongated, liquid-carrying distributor for a chemicaltreating tower, the side walls and bottom of which are fabricated fromone piece of sheet metal, said walls being spaced by the bottom which isintegral therewith, with a flange of the metal at the top of each ofsaid side walls turned in and down substantially at right angles toprovide open access from below, which flanges are integral with the walland continuous from one end of the wall to the other, with openings ineach wall adjacent the flange for the overflow of liquid therethrough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 930,926 8/09Bentley 239-193 1,770,657 7/30 Calhoun 239-193 2,281,799 5/42 Quave137-262 2,696,139 12/54 Attwood 151-4157 3,011,723 12/61 Van Weele261-112 OTHER REFERENCES I Design Manual, 1960, U.S. Stoneware Co., page26.

Ball Ring, 1960, U.S. Stoneware Co., page 13.

MARTIN P. SCHWADRON, Acting Primary Examiner.

